1998 Yamaha VMax 600 Reliability

for $1000 I would take it.My stepson has a 95 vmax600 and that sled rocked off the line .Suspension was bad,,but you have better suspension and trailing arm instead of pogo.If he doesn't keep it pinned all the time..it will be reliable for the amount of miles he will put on it.Just make sure all bearings are good and grease her up where needed,run good gas and keep carbs clean and you would be fine..Sled looks sweet to me..
 
Vmax540 said:
I had two of the 600cc twin's a 1994 and a 96, both were very reliable and for some reason ran alot better than most give them credit. The 94 had an updated oil pump (less oil) and also, a Yamaha spec'd fix for better fuel mileage. The ~10 mpg is not a big deal when as mentioned you are not putting thousands of miles ? Yes, the triples will give better mileage.
Click to expand...

Anyone know the part number and cost for an "updated" oil pump?

Also, are the shocks rebuildable on the XTC Deluxe models?

Regardless, for $1,000 I don't think that I can find a better sled.

1998-V-Max-XTCD-001-2-M.jpg


98-Vmax-Seat-M.jpg


98-Vmax-Front-M.jpg


It'll probably need a new track after next season, but still it is only $1,000.
 
Last edited:
Vmax540 said:
I would believe a 1998 would be already updated ? Bender had a deal where you send in your pump and they recalibrated and sent back.
Click to expand...

Ooo!!! And Bender lives near my Dad. Maybe I could take the sled right to Bender's and make sure the oil pump is fixed, get new rings (if needed), and get it properly clutched.
 
The track is in "OK" shape, 144 studs with a couple of pull throughs. I should probably replace it after this upcoming season.

Not sure why one would do 144 studs for this motor, 96 seems so much more appropriate.
 
Yeah you are right, the 144 pattern is a bit excessive in this case, but if it's not going to be ridden hard you may not need to replace it for a while. Are the lugs / paddles worn down?
 
Trail Ryder said:
Anyone know the part number and cost for an "updated" oil pump?

Also, are the shocks rebuildable on the XTC Deluxe models?

Regardless, for $1,000 I don't think that I can find a better sled.

1998-V-Max-XTCD-001-2-M.jpg


98-Vmax-Seat-M.jpg


98-Vmax-Front-M.jpg


It'll probably need a new track after next season, but still it is only $1,000.
Click to expand...


Buy it now before its gone... thats a awesome deal for the shape of the sled. You can part it out and make your money back and then some if nothing else.
 
The XTC denotes long travel, rebuildable shocks. There are also needle bearings instead of bushings in the shock eyelets. Properly valved and setup, they are a good riding and handling sled. VERY forgiving and stable. The only other issue I recall was the rivets in the floorboards for the rear trailing arm mount. Mine have all been replaced.
 
Dependable, Yes very. MPGs, More like 7 - 9 in my expeience. 10 mpgs on best day. Clutches perfect, riden by daughter not terribly hard. 8500 miles no problems.
 
gil7247 said:
I know everyone has an opinion, but anytime you can buy a 600 class sled in that shape and miles that runs good w/o any glaring problems for a grand you're doin all right. I don't know where some of these other guys have been shopping but a thousand dollars don't go very far for anything. GIL
Click to expand...

bought both my current srx's in that price range. one was 1000 in early summer, the other 1300 in early winter

but that sled looks pretty clean from the pics, and for whos going to be riding it it seems like a good buy
 
Last edited:
looks in awsome shape! like mrsled and viperdave said it is a really good deal for the price and milage. someone also up-dated the skis as i recall those had steel skis stock, at least here in canada.
 
Well, we picked it up on Sunday for $1,000. And it almost looked like show room new.

This was the XTC Deluxe model with electric start, reverse, mirrors, and a 2-up seat with the moveable (Kimpex) back rest. It has under 3,400 miles with new piston, rings, jugs, and head a few hundred miles ago (due to bad gas), and brand new Camoplast Plastic Skis with Woody's carbide skegs.

A few more questions:

- For plugs, BR9ES? Right?
- These shocks are rebuildable? Right?
- Any suggestions for a cover? Remember it has the 2-up seat with the backrest.

Thanks!
 
i would go with a skins cover as it is universal. i do not know about the shocks. i would reccomend br10eix plugs as they let it run a little ritcher across the board so it would help prevent a lean burndown condition if you get some questionable gas at some point.
 
If you're gona go with a 600 twin, get the vmax SX, then you get the OHLINS package, and the skidoos will be in the rear view in the twisty's
I'm not sure what else is different with the XTC's but a friend of mine had 1,
and It alwayse felt like the old man version of the vmax SX
 
Last edited:
towingskidoos said:
If you're gona go with a 600 twin, get the vmax SX, then you get the OHLINS package, and the skidoos will be in the rear view in the twisty's
I'm not sure what else is different with the XTC's but a friend of mine had 1,
and It alwayse felt like the old man version of the vmax SX
Click to expand...
We were looking for an old man’s sled for my father. If I want to go fast down the trail, I will ride my Ski-Doo T’NT.

We found a 1998 VMax 600 XTC Deluxe (2-up seat, electric start, reverse; everything we were looking for) with under 3,400 miles, new plastic skis, new carbides, new pistons, jugs, and head (thanks to bad gas last season); and we were able to pick it up this summer for $1,000.

1998-Yamaha-2-L.jpg


So far we cleaned the carbs, changed the chain case oil, replaced the battery, greased everything, installed new hyfax, rebuilt the shocks, and replaced some shock bushings. My only concern is the loose change sound which seems to be coming from the primary clutch; still wondering if I should be concerned about that one.
 
Trail Ryder said:
We were looking for an old man’s sled for my father. If I want to go fast down the trail, I will ride my Ski-Doo T’NT.

We found a 1998 VMax 600 XTC Deluxe (2-up seat, electric start, reverse; everything we were looking for) with under 3,400 miles, new plastic skis, new carbides, new pistons, jugs, and head (thanks to bad gas last season); and we were able to pick it up this summer for $1,000.

1998-Yamaha-2-L.jpg


So far we cleaned the carbs, changed the chain case oil, replaced the battery, greased everything, installed new hyfax, rebuilt the shocks, and replaced some shock bushings. My only concern is the loose change sound which seems to be coming from the primary clutch; still wondering if I should be concerned about that one.
Click to expand...

l belive the 'loose change' sound you are hearing are worn parts in your primary, you will also notice a vibration when going downhill under load. There are rollers, shims,weights etc that ware out in time. There is alot that can be replaced so it would be a good idea to check the parts by sets,weights, rollers, pins, shims etc etc. l went and replaced everything on my vmax600 with oem and it was spendy. Some one will have the exact specs for you.

Cheers
 
Last edited:
1993Vmax4 said:
l belive the 'loose change' sound you are hearing are worn parts in your primary, you will also notice a vibration when going downhill under load. There are rollers, shims,weights etc that ware out in time. There is alot that can be replaced so it would be a good idea to check the parts by sets,weights, rollers, pins, shims etc etc. l went and replaced everything on my vmax600 with oem and it was spendy. Some one will have the exact specs for you.

Cheers
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip on the worn primary parts. Good News / Bad News: Bender Racing is about a mile from where the sled is currently located / but I did not want to spend a lot of $$$.
 
Trail Ryder said:
Thanks for the tip on the worn primary parts. Good News / Bad News: Bender Racing is about a mile from where the sled is currently located / but I did not want to spend a lot of $$$.
Click to expand...


no problem, the first to go are the rollers as they have a fibre type bushing in them and the shims on either side that are not metal.

The yammi is so quite stock its noticeable at idle, i have several vmaxs they all make a little noise in the primary of varying degrees dependant on mileage and beasting, well they did till i piped them ;).

With a bit of luck Bender will be kind to you and advise on you on your nessecery needs................rather than there's! ( ive brought stuff from them and found them to be AAA+)
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.


Back
Top